Zips Athletics Unveils IMPACT 2020

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron
Department of Athletics unveiled on Monday its aggressive goals in
a comprehensive seven-year plan developed with significant input
from those impacted by Zips Athletics.

Titled IMPACT 2020, the document is the
product of a nine-month-long strategic-planning process that
solicited feedback from more than 1,000 individuals, including
student-athletes, athletics coaches and staff, University faculty
and staff, UA students, alumni, letterwinners, donors, season
ticketholders, sponsors and community members in the City of Akron
and throughout Northeast Ohio.

A 25-person steering committee helped to develop and distribute an
electronic survey, host two public forums on campus, review the
responses and draft the plan. The resulting document, found online
at GoZips.com/IMPACT2020, defines the new mission
statement for Zips Athletics: To have a positive and meaningful
IMPACT on the people and communities we serve.

"On behalf of our department, thank you to all of our stakeholders
who shared their perspectives about our mission and how we can
fulfill it," Director of Athletics Tom
Wistrcill said. "The scope and variety of feedback we received
reinforced the impact that Zips Athletics can and does have on our
campus and in our community, and thus we chose that word as our
theme. We are excited to provide greater visibility and to serve as
an even stronger source of pride for The University of Akron."

As part of the University, the Department of Athletics ensured
that IMPACT 2020 mirrors Vision 2020, the
university-wide strategic plan. Each of Vision 2020’s five
"Pathways to Success" is paired with the five IMPACT 2020
Goals:

"Athletics is a window to our university and a way for all of us
who care about the Zips to come together and celebrate our
success," UA President Luis M. Proenza said. "IMPACT 2020 will provide the
strategic direction for our athletics department and further align
it with our entire campus."

The plan identifies specific, quantifiable benchmarks –
including graduation rates, average grade-point average, conference
championships won, the development of a master facilities plan,
season ticket purchases, fundraising and sponsorship dollars,
gameday experience and customer service – toward which Zips
Athletics will measure its annual progress. Additionally, each team
and unit in the department will be charged with creating its own
specific strategies to support these goals, and the progress toward
completion will be used in performance evaluations.

"To accomplish our goals and build an even brighter future for
our department, we need everyone involved to realize the impact
they can have on Zips Athletics," Wistrcill said. "We sought that
feedback as we developed our plan, and to ensure that we continue
to understand and fulfill our mission, we are continuing to ask all
Zips to provide their own IMPACT statements as we launch this
plan."

Dozens of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans
have filmed video testimonials in which they individually describe
the impact of Zips Athletics on their lives and the impact they
believe that have on Zips Athletics.

Now everyone who cares about the Zips can do the same, as the
Department of Athletics is seeking more testimonials describing the
IMPACT of Zips Athletics. Submissions can be shared through any of
the following mediums:

For video and written submissions, please include in the body of
the e-mail your first and last name and affiliation(s) with Zips
Athletics. Submissions may be used by the Department of Athletics
in future correspondence and promotions, including on the
website.